Newtown shootings: Teacher Victoria Soto hailed as hero by mourners

STRATFORD, Conn. -- Victoria Soto, hailed as the hero teacher whose decisive action saved numerous children's lives, was so popular that more than 200 mourners at her funeral on Wednesday could not get inside the Lordship Community Church.

Instead, they sat in chairs outdoors and listened via a loudspeaker.

Family and friends described Soto, 27, as their "hero" long before Friday's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults.

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The death toll would have been higher if not for Soto's quick thinking as she hid her students in the classroom bathroom, but she ultimately was shot and killed.

Jillian Soto said her sister has been a "hero to me a lot longer than five days. You have been my big sister. I always wanted to be like you."

Jillian said Soto was good at everything, even bingo, and she asked her sister to guide her in life from heaven.

"It is a shock that goes beyond our comprehension. We weren't ready to say goodbye," said the Rev. Meg Boxwell Williams.

Soto's aunt, Debbie Cronk, said she had "gorgeous big blue eyes." She recalled how she and her niece would try to feed ducks, but Soto would eat the bread first.

"You are my niece, my goddaughter, my angel," her aunt said. "A picture is worth a thousand words. Well a picture of us is worth a million."

Soto, had three siblings -- Jillian, Carlee and Matthew Soto -- and lived with them in Stratford.

"This family would be nothing without you," Carlee said at the funeral. "You are a hero, Vickie, and this family will never forget you."

Soto's best friend, Rachael Schiavone, told mourners that Soto always was ready to have a good time.

"She would put her heart and soul in every hug," her friend said.

Soto's favorite number was four and her favorite color was green. She loved the "Little Mermaid," flamingos, the New York Yankees, the Tennessee Titans and eating cereal at any time of day. She was "strong and fearless," Schiavone said.

"I am not surprised that she protected her kids," Schiavone said. "She said she had the best class ever. On Friday, they were supposed to make gingerbread houses."

Soto's cousin, Heather Cronk, said she was the "funniest goofiest person," who possessed an "infectious laugh."

"I am so beyond lucky to be able to call such a beautiful person my cousin," Cronk said.